“A dazzling smile”this is the promise of many whitening toothpastes. But what is behind this promise and is it really achievable? This is the question asked by the magazine 60 Million consumers in its November issue. The specialists screened 12 references available in supermarkets to test their effectiveness, but also to estimate their effect on health.
Whitening toothpaste: the podium in the ranking of 60 million consumers
To do this, the magazine’s specialists selected 12 toothpastes carrying the “whiteness” claim. This panel was, as the authors explain, representative of the market and included both major brands and distributor brands. “Organic” or non-organic products were also chosen. Then, they looked at the components of toothpastes and classified them according to Cosméto’Score, a rating system independent of industrial lobbies which takes into account risks for health and the environment.
Regarding the whitening effectiveness, the magazine explains that it used bovine incisor emails. To measure abrasiveness, it was evaluated on human dentin and enamel, we can read in the methodology. “These tests were carried out in a standardized way, using machines applying brushing identical to what brushing with standard toothpaste would be”.
According to the magazine 60 Million consumersthree brands climb onto the podium. “The green tree whiteness with mint aroma” received a score of 13.8/20, followed by “Carrefour Soft bio White” with 13.5/20 and “Melvita White teeth with mint aromas”, with 13.4/20. their classification does not mean that they will make teeth white. “the least abrasive toothpastes (L’Arbre vert, Carrefour Soft bio and Melvita) are those whosewhiteness effect is insufficient”, can we read in the magazine.
Whitening toothpaste: beware of false promises
Their place is due, in particular, to their composition, not including any product that could alter dental health or pollute. Indeed, certain products analyzed contain phosphoric acid, which ultimately affects dental enamel or even the titanium dioxide (Ti02) “suspected of being genotoxic, i.e. capable of damaging DNA”.
But, can we talk about whitening toothpaste? As Dr Julien Cardona, deputy general secretary of the union of dental surgeons of France, points out to the magazine, “we should not speak of whitening but of lightening of the teeth so as not to be misleading, including for techniques carried out in a dental office”.
Discover the complete survey in 60 million consumers n°607, currently on newsstands.
📢 New issue Featured – #Comparative #toothpastes whiteness: forget those who strip! 12 references tested in the lab: between useless, dangerous and useful products, how to sort them out? Scores between 7.7 and 13.8/20!
👉 https://t.co/jI49u1XE88#abrasiveness pic.twitter.com/BfhcE8auPs— 60 Million Consumers (@60millions) October 24, 2024